Nottingham's Guildhall hotel development to create over 250 jobs

Plans to breathe new life into Nottingham’s Guildhall by converting it into a 162-bedroom hotel will create more than 250 jobs if the project is given the green light at Wednesday’s planning committee.

The plans for the multimillion-pound redevelopment to convert and extend the Grade II-listed Victorian building into a four-star hotel were submitted by a joint venture between Locksley Hotels and hotel group Ascena in May.

John Wilby, project lead for Ascena, which runs luxury hotel and restaurant facilities across the UK including Opheem in Birmingham, said that if planning was granted at next week’s vote, work on the site would commence later this year.

“It is a landmark development for the city and a key destination for people across the East Midlands. Following close work with heritage consultants Turley and Historic England, we’ve ensured that the plans submitted will see a sensitive restoration of the Grade II-listed building.

"The Guildhall is an amazing building and we are naturally delighted to be working with the city council.”

Jack Turton, director at Ascena, added: “With the building sitting derelict for the best part of a decade, we’re absolutely thrilled to be working with the city council in taking steps towards bringing this iconic Nottingham building back to life – it’s been a long time coming!”

The Guildhall was designed in the French Renaissance Revivalist style and is set within 2.3 acres of land. The building has hosted a magistrates’ court, police station and fire station during its 150-long history.

The new development, designed by Preston-based RPS Design Group, will include a rooftop fine dining restaurant, spa and wedding and conference facilities. Existing courtrooms in the building will be converted into bar and restaurant facilities, retaining the original listed features.

The Guildhall building itself will house the hotel, while more modern extensions at the back would be demolished and rebuilt. A proposed extension to the northern elevation of the existing building will also use high-grade materials, in a nod to Nottingham’s lace heritage.

City council leader councillor David Mellen said the proposed development showed “ongoing confidence in Nottingham as a city to invest in” and would complement the council’s wider ambitions for the city’s growth.